Cook broccoli for virus-fighting power

The virus that causes herpes is not like most common infections. Once it takes hold in the human body, it never leaves. People who get herpes infections remain infected for life. Modern medications keep the virus in check, but the virus can mutate so that medications no longer control it. Over 20 per cent of all adults in North America are infected with the genital strain of the virus that causes herpes, and as many as 80 per cent may host the herpes virus that causes colds sores. Fortunately, food may be a backup in herpes control.

A compound abundant in broccoli and related vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts named I3C (indole-3-carbinol) may be just what the body needs to keep the herpes virus from multiplying. A scientist at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Ohio found that, at least in the laboratory, I3C stopped 99.9 per cent of ability of the virus to reproduce itself. Even if though the compound from broccoli and cauliflower cannot completely eradicate the virus, it might be able to slow its growth so much that symptoms never recur.

What is the best way to cook broccoli?

What is the best way to cook broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower to get I3C into your body? Oddly enough, the best way to break up the protein pouches where the vegetable stores I3C so that it can be released during digestion without leaching way the I3C before you eat seems to be to make broccoli tempura. Fried broccoli is actually more nutritious than boiled, steamed, or raw broccoli in this regard. Tempura battered broccoli is better than stir fried, and stir fried is better than steamed. Steaming is preferable to boiling, and if you really prefer raw broccoli, be sure to chew it very well.

Why should you eat it?

There are many reasons to eat broccoli in addition to its potential ability to fight herpes infections. A spear of broccoli has a much fiber as three slices of whole wheat bread. Broccoli offers as much vitamin C as orange juice and more calcium than milk. The I3C in broccoli fights cancer as well as viral infection. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that regular consumption of broccoli may prevent both cataracts and stroke.

For fighting viral infection, just be open to the idea that this one fried food might actually be good for you. Broccoli is healthy raw, boiled, steamed, or fried